FRENCH FM TO ATTEND PALESTINIAN FLAG-RAISING EVENT AT UN

New York, 13 Dzulhijjah 1436/27 September 2015 (MINA) – The French foreign minister has announced plans to take part in a ceremony to hoist the Palestinian flag at the United Nations next week despite opposition against the move by the Israeli regime and the US.

Addressing reporters at the UN headquarters in New York, Laurent Fabius stated that his participation at the event would underline France’s “continued support for a two-state solution.”

“We cannot allow the two-state solution to fall apart before our eyes,” said Fabius while also connecting the move to a bid to block further spread of the foreign-backed Islamic State (ISIL/Daesh) group in the region, Press TV quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

“We cannot risk seeing Daesh (ISIL) take over the Palestinian cause,” added France’s top diplomat, referring to that remains engaged in a massive ISIL campaign across the region.

Authorities of the Palestinian Authority have invited hundreds of world leaders to join President Mahmoud Abbas at the ceremony on Wednesday.

France was among the 119 nations backing a UN resolution allowing the hoisting of the Palestinian as well as Vatican flags at the headquarters of the world body, alongside the national flags of the UN’s 193 member-states.

The Palestinians and the Holy See have non-member observer status at the United Nations.

The Israeli regime, the US, Canada and Australia were among eight UN members that voted against the measure, rejecting it as a symbolic move that would not serve “the cause of peace.”

This is while PA’s UN ambassador Riyad Mansour has described the ceremony as a “glorious day” that will highlight Palestinian aspirations for statehood.

UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also plans to participate in the event, set to be held following Abbas’s scheduled address before the UN General Assembly. (T/P001/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)